PAKISTAN: New Zealand’s bowlers showed guile to reign in the Pakistani batters, who seemed to score more than 300 runs at one stage. Fakhar Zaman’s century and Mohammad Rizwan’s half-century, along with a cameo from Agha Salman, helped Pakistan post a total of 280/9.
New Zealand started the chase in earnest but lost a flurry of wickets in the middle overs. Glenn Phillips stemmed the rot and guided his team home with 11 deliveries to spare and just three wickets in hand.
Pakistan inning
Lockie Ferguson and Michael Bracewell shook Pakistan early in their innings, but Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Rizwan quickly got things back on track.
In a Mitchell Santner over, Zaman hit two boundaries, while Rizwan hit the third ball he faced for a boundary.
After the powerplay, the two batters settled for singles before Zaman hit two boundaries off Tim Southee. He reached his fifty and looked excellent as the partnership reached 100 for the third wicket.
The visitors began to struggle when the boundaries started flowing again. Ish Sodhi broke the partnership with a googly to stop a well-set Rizwan after Pakistan was on 175.
Zaman notched up his 8th ODI century, but threw away his wicket in the next over. Pakistan was 206/4 after 40 overs and looked well set to score beyond 300.
However, the Kiwi bowlers kept taking wickets at regular intervals to set the Pakistani run rate back. Agha Salman used the long handle to great effect and scored 45 crucial runs, which helped Pakistan reach 280/9 at the end of 50 overs.
New Zealand inning
New Zealand took control of the run chase after Finn Allen was run out for a run-a-ball 25.
While Kane Williamson was having trouble at first, Devon Conway hit a four off Mohammad Wasim Jr. and a six off Mohammad Nawaz.
As the visitors gradually gained momentum in the chase, Williamson eventually settled in thanks to Pakistan’s erratic bowling.
In the 21st over, Agha Salman got rid of Conway, but New Zealand stayed in charge as Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson added 52 runs together.
Mitchell smashed Haris Rauf for a six as New Zealand reached 155/2 after 30. Pakistan fought back by claiming three wickets in five overs.
Mitchell fell for 31 after a mistimed reverse sweep, while Williamson was run out after reaching his half-century. Williamson, like Conway, lost his wicket while trying to get a single that wasn’t there.
Pakistan seemed to regain control of the match once again as Michael Bracewell inside-edged one onto his stumps.
The hosts were all over New Zealand when Wasim Jr. castled Tom Latham, and the Kiwis still required 76 off 71 with four wickets in hand.
Glenn Phillips then took over, trying to put pressure on the home team with rapid boundaries. Phillips raced to 23 off 12 after smashing a six off Agha Salman and clubbing one wide over long on off Nawaz.
Phillips then smothered another six over midwicket on Haris Rauf’s return to bowling. The onslaught surprised Pakistan as Phillips hit his fourth six in the next over.
Phillips reached his half-century in 28 deliveries. His onslaught helped New Zealand win the series decider with 11 balls to spare.
Glenn Phillips won the Player of the Match award for his swashbuckling innings, while Devon Convoy received the Player of the Series award. This was New Zealand’s first series win against Pakistan in Pakistan.
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